European Federation of Journalists Urges Global Action to Free 23 Journalists in Azerbaijan Ahead of COP29

As Azerbaijan prepares to host the UN Climate Change Conference, COP29, in Baku, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) is calling on the international community to increase pressure on Azerbaijani authorities to release 23 journalists and media workers who are currently imprisoned. The EFJ's appeal comes as the Azerbaijani government intensifies its crackdown on press freedom ahead of the high-profile conference.

The UN Climate Change Conference, known as COP29, is set to take place in Baku from November 11-22, 2024. As the event approaches, the EFJ has voiced concerns about the Azerbaijani government’s treatment of journalists and civil society activists. The organization is urging the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), headquartered in Bonn, Germany, to ensure that Azerbaijan upholds international human rights standards and does not use the conference as an excuse to suppress dissent.

The Council of Europe’s Platform for the Protection of Journalism has reported that 23 journalists are currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. These individuals are being held simply for performing their duties. Among those detained are six journalists from Abzas Media: Ulvi Hasanli, Sevinc Vaqifqizi, Mahammad Kekalov, Nargiz Absalamova, Hafiz Babali, and Elnara Gasimova. The EFJ has also noted the case of Afgan Sadygov, an independent journalist facing extradition proceedings in Georgia, reflecting the reach of Azerbaijan’s repressive actions beyond its borders.

Ricardo Gutiérrez, the General Secretary of the EFJ, has emphasized the urgency of the situation. “We obviously support the #FreeAbzasJournalists campaign, which has just been launched to demand the release of the six journalists from this independent media outlet,” Gutiérrez stated. “But we also demand the immediate release of the 17 other media workers unjustly imprisoned in Azerbaijan, and we call on Georgia to release Afgan Sadygov.”

Gutiérrez also called on international delegations attending COP29 to publicly support the imprisoned journalists. “The international delegations attending COP29 should publicly express their solidarity with the imprisoned journalists. They cannot be complicit in the regime’s indiscriminate repression,” he added.

In April 2024, the European Parliament adopted an urgent resolution demanding the “immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners” in Azerbaijan. The resolution also called for the imposition of EU sanctions on Azerbaijani officials involved in serious human rights violations. The EFJ is urging that these calls for action be translated into concrete measures.

The EFJ believes it is time to move beyond mere statements and take decisive action to address human rights abuses in Azerbaijan. With COP29 drawing near, the organization is pushing for greater international involvement and support to ensure that the Azerbaijani government respects press freedom and human rights.